Steering-wheel spindle for vehicle-axles.



PATENTED OCT. 16; 1906.

J. B. MAGDUPF. STEERING WHEEL S'PINDLE FOR VEHICLE AXLES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 15. 1906- F Snow/m 13 JZ a C4 W .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JAMES BRUCEMACDUFF, or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. STEERING-WHEEL SPINDLE FOR VE Hl CLE-AXL ES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

.Patented'Oct'. 16, 1906.

To all whom, it may concern;

I Be it known that I, JAMES BRUCE MACDUFF,

a citizen of the United'States, residing at others/skilled in the art to which it Brooklyn, in the county of Kings andjState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Wheel Spindles for Vehicle-Axles; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in vehicle-axles and their pivoted spindles for thesteering-wheels and it consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a indle and axle,

will be removed from the pivotin, so that the latter will be prevented om being w'renched or broken. when the vehicle passes over a rough or uneven surface.

The above and other objects, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which? Figure 1 is a plan view end of a vehicle-axle and its spindle pivotally mounted thereon by means of myimproved knuckle-joint. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same. Fig. 4- is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in Fig; 1

and Fig. 5'is a detail view of the end of the axle, showing the projecting bearing thereon.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes one end of a vehicle-axle, and'2 the spindle of one of the steering-wheelsj These parts ay be of any desired form and construction and 'pivotally connected in any suitable manner but, as shown, the spindle is mounted to turn or swing horizontally u on a vertical pivot 3, which passes through aining apertures in the spaced upper and lower arms& of the bifurcated end ofthe axle 1 and an alining opening in the head or block 5 upon the inner end-of the spindle 2 said head or block being disposed between the arms 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The head or i'nnerend 5 of the spindle has formed or secured upon it an angularly-projecting arm 6, to wh1ch the usual of a portion of one operating rod orlink (not shown). is pivotally connected, so that :the spindle 2 may be bearing. As shown, the bearing 8 is in the form of'integral projections 10'upon opposite sides of the axle 1 a short distance from its forked or bifurcated outer end; but it may be of any other form and construction, so that it has upper and lower bearing-surfaces 11 12, adapted to be engaged by the upper and lower plates or bars 13 14 of the extension 9. The latter is in the form of a V-shaped frame 15, which is formed integral with the head 5 of the s indle and is adapted to swing laterally or iorizontally u on the axlewhlch extends through it. T is frame 15 comprises two inwardly-extending diverging side pieces or arms 16, which project from the head 5 of the spindle and have the cross plates or bars 13 '14 connecting their inner ends and sein this manner they may be removed and replaced when worn. It will be seen that as the axle 2 is swung for the purpose of steering the vehicle these up er-and lower. plates 13 14 will at all times ear upon the extended bearings 8' on the axle, and thereby relieve the pivot 3 of strain and greatly strengthen the connection between the spindle and axle. From the fore oing description, taken in connection with t e accompanying drawin s, the construction, use, and'advanta es of t 1e invention will be readily understoo without re uirin'g a more extended explanation.

arious changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details-of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, .and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I r 1. An axle, bifurcated at the end to provide spaced upper and lower arms, in combination with a spindle having a head at its inner end mounted between said arms. said head having an extension provided with elements bearin and slidable on the upper and lower sides of the axle, and a vertical pivot for the spindle, extending through the arms of the axle and the head of the spindle, sub- V-shaped frame extending inwardly from said spindle and having upper and lower removable cross-bars to engage said bearingsurfaces.

.3. The combination with an axle and a spindle pivotally mounted thereon, of a bear- 'ng u on said axle, an extension upon said spindle, and removable elements .upon'said extension for engaging the upper and lower faces of said bearing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set myhand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- JAMES BRUCE MACDUFF.

Witnesses:

L. H. HARLOW,

GEO. A. BARRETT. 

